Who: Hyundo Chong, 53, owner of City Footwear in the City of Poughkeepsie

How he got his start: Originally from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, "My business partner recommended [Poughkeepsie]. I looked at Main Street and I found this this place in 2003.”

Why it's a good fit: “Everybody wears shoes,” he says with a laugh. He later elaborated, “It’s not too quiet and it’s not too busy, and I think Poughkeepsie is the main city in the Hudson Valley.”

Best part of his work: Chonglikes to meet new customers and show off the latest products, especially to those outside of the immediate area. "I’ve talked with customers in Kingston and other places and they say they don’t have shoe stores like this.”

What he'd like you to know: At first Chong didn't know how to answer, but said simply, "Business," in reference to more people coming to the store. "The economy is tough," he says. "It's quiet now, as you can see."